Page 121 of Broken Skulls

I nod and then walk over to the couple waiting patiently for me on their bike. Jesse is draped over Dirk’s shoulder.

“Thanks again. For everything,” I say quietly.

Dirk reaches out and drops a necklace over my head. My fingers wrap around the key now resting on my chest.

“Unless you’re scared of him,” he says, tipping his head to the side.

It makes me laugh lightly. “I’ve never been afraid of him.”

“He’s going to fight you on this,” Dirk continues.

“I’m almost looking forward to it,” I giggle.

Dirk rolls his eyes when Jesse laughs too. “Alright, you two. You’ll let us know when you drag him back into the real world?”

“I’ll let you know.” I nod, backing away from them as he starts his bike.

When I get inside, I plate some of the food Jesse brought over again today. Jacob’s quiet as I place his last meal of the day in the box.

“Why are you doing this to me?” he asks, and I hear the defeat in his tone.

I sit down beside the wall. “Doing what?”

“The music. The food. You’re torturing me.”

I’m quiet for a few moments. It wasn’t that long ago I felt the same way. That I was undeserving of those same things. Seeing it from the other side slaps me right in the face.

“I’m not torturing you. I’m loving you. I’m sorry if that hurts right now, but I’m not going to stop.”

He groans.

“Sweet dreams, Jacob. I love you.”

When I get upstairs, Brody is sitting on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn. He looks up from the television. “Shit, what’s wrong, hun?” He pats the spot beside him.

“I just wish he would quit beating himself up. It was an accident.”

He turns down the show he was watching to give me his full attention. “Guilt isn’t a rational thing, you know?”

“You’re right,” I agree quietly. “Thank you again for staying. At least tonight you’ll be able to sleep in a bed.”

He sits back, resting his arm across the back of the couch. “Do you think JD will like that you turned it into a guest room?”

“I think he will eventually.”

Brody grabs the bowl and offers me some of his popcorn.

I cover my mouth after taking a bite. “Oh my god. How much butter did you put on that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. A stick or so.”

We both laugh. “It’s good.” I take another handful. “You know, Jacob was thinking of turning it into a guest room anyway.”

“He was?”

“Yeah. He told Lexie eventually he would get it set up for when she stays with us.”

Brody looks away.

---